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Boskalis takes on two ex-Harkand DSVs

Dutch group Royal Boskalis Westminster has added two large diving support vessels (DSVs) to its fleet.

Through an agreement with the bondholders of the two former Harkand vessels, Boskalis has acquired the DSV Atlantis for about US$60 million and has signed a three-year bareboat charter for sister vessel Da Vinci, along with a right of first refusal in the event of a sale.

The vessels, which were taken into service in 2011, are equipped with two bells for saturation diving work to a depth of 300m and provide accommodation for 120 crew.

Harkand was launched in 2013, but the UK-based subsea inspection, repair and maintenance firm Harkand went into administration in May 2016.

Aberdeen-based Amplus Energy bought survey company Andrews Survey from the administrators of the Harkand. New firm, Aberdeen- and Houston-based M² Subsea, bought a 32-strong fleet of ROVs from the administrators.

For Boskalis, the move is part of its Corporate Business Plan 2017-2019, which is devoted to strengthening and expanding Boskalis' subsea services.

"With this addition the existing position in the area of inspection, repair and maintenance of subsea offshore installation, pipelines and cables is strengthened," says the firm. "Furthermore, the foundation is laid for an expansion in the area of subsea contracting, installation and SURF (subsea umbilicals, risers and flowlines) with the aim of further growth in this segment of the offshore energy market in the regions northwest Europe, Africa and the Middle East."